Hairdressers 'fear for future' of industry

Hairdressers in Kent have said they are facing a crisis as a report predicts employment in the industry could drop by 93% within five years.

The report, produced by the British Hair Consortium (BHC), has called for the government to provide urgent financial support.

The BHC said the current tax system is severely impacting the industry and has appealed to the government to cut VAT for hair salons from 20% down to 5%.

Toby Dicker, a member of the group, who runs Chapel Hairdressers in Tunbridge Wells, told Radio Kent he has "fears for the future".

"By 2027, the predictions are there will be no apprentices left, no new skills and no opportunities for young people to lift themselves where they don't necessarily have the academic skills," he added.

Kirsty Brampton, who works at The Chapel Hairdressers, said: "When I took my training more than 20 years ago, there were quite a few apprentices.

"I feel now there's less and less. I think salons need to invest the time and money, but I don't think they've got the money."

Michael Garrett, director of BYou Salon in Canterbury, said it has been "tough".

"I would love to pay every one more, but you've got to be able to afford it," he added.

"There's been a decrease in people coming into the salon but if I put up my prices it will affect business."

A HM Treasury spokesperson said: "We delivered a once-in-a-Parliament budget to wipe the slate clean.

"Now we are focused on going further and faster to kickstart economic growth so working people have more money in their pockets.

"We're also levelling the playing field for high street businesses, including hairdressers, by permanently cutting business rates and removing the £110,000 cap for more than 280,000 retail, hospitality and leisure business properties, while also capping corporation tax for the duration of parliament."

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